Centre manager Mark Rycraft said: “We’re delighted at how the first ever Embrace Awards has been received by everyone at Middleton Grange, from all the stores and their staff to our customers who have made so many nominations.

“It proves that visitors to Middleton Grange appreciate and value the stores and the staff that we have here. The Embrace Awards are all about recognising outstanding customer service and rewarding those people and businesses that make a positive contribution to the success of the centre.

“Now the Embrace Awards ceremony is nearly upon us, we are very excited and I’m sure the ceremony will grow in popularity and stature every year.”

The inaugural Embrace Awards will be presented on October 16, at Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, which is managed by Cushman & Wakefield. An independent judging panel – made up of retail consultant Graham Soult; Jerry Hatch, manager of Dalton Park; Joanne Cole, tourism officer at Hartlepool Borough Council; and Daniel Raudin, owner of the York House restaurant in Hartlepool – decided which retailers and staff got some well-deserved recognition.

One lucky shopper selected at random from all of the nominations will also be handed a £100 gift card for Middleton Grange.